After thanking Captain Xue, Wei Maolin followed Gao and Wei Yunlan into the carriage.
Seeing his father in better spirits than he was a few days ago, Wei Yunlan raised the corners of his mouth slightly, "It seems that you are living like a fish in water in Beiguan City."
If nothing else, at least he has good relationships with people.
Otherwise, why would the city guard, Captain Xue, let them go without saying a word, saving them the trouble of reporting tonight so that they could return home and reunite with their families early?
"Lawmaster Xue is a good man." Wei Maolin said, "In fact, the people in the north are simple and honest. Most of the low-level officials, clerks, and soldiers I have met in this city recently are straightforward and enthusiastic, without too many twists and turns."
"There are so many twists and turns, can you possibly figure it out?" Gao glanced at Wei Maolin.
"Madam, you underestimate me." Wei Maolin chuckled and shook his head.
After all, he had been an official in the court for decades, and he couldn't see through those old foxes in the court whose minds were denser than sieves. However, he did have some ability to judge people.
"Are the people in Beiguan really so nice?" Wei Yunlan did not doubt her father's judgment, but it was slightly different from what she knew about Beiguan in her previous life.
After all, the country’s demise began at the North Gate!
When the northern barbarian cavalry came with great force, Beiguan basically put up no resistance and just opened the city gate to welcome the enemy.
Otherwise, relying on this most important military defense location, Dayong would have more time to prepare and might even be able to hold out for a few more months.
"Not entirely." Wei Maolin replied, "After all, I have only been going back and forth to the City Affairs Office every day during this period of time, and the people I have come into contact with are limited."
All he could come into contact with were minor officials and soldiers. As for those generals and their families who actually served in the army and held important positions, he had never met any of them.
He hasn't even set foot in the so-called northern half of the city!
Wei Yunlan knew what was going on, but it made him feel even more sad.
According to my father's description, these low-level officials, clerks and soldiers in Beiguan City are all very dedicated to their duties and try their best to do their part to protect Beiguan City and the border.
But often, those who can really play a decisive role are not these petty officials, but those who hold power.
That is, the so-called nobles in the northern half of Beiguan City.
The order to open the gates wide could only come from those nobles.
It was because of their fear of death and their desire to curry favor with the powerful that the efforts of tens of thousands of Beiguan city residents and tens of thousands of soldiers were all in vain.
How sad and ridiculous!
Just thinking about this, Wei Yunlan felt a surge of indignation rising from the bottom of his heart.
"Lan'er?" Gao gently patted the back of Wei Yunlan's hand.
Wei Yunlan came back to his senses and gave a puzzled look back.
"What do you think of what your father just said? Should we keep the appointment?"
Facing the slightly bewildered look in Wei Yunlan's eyes, Gao repeated what she had just said, "Your father said that the Liang family sent us an invitation today, inviting us to attend the flower-viewing banquet in five days."
"Just our family?" A hint of confusion flashed across Wei Yunlan's eyes.
On the surface, their family still has support in the capital, but the virtuous concubine in the palace has no name, the Xu Guogong Mansion has wealth but no official position, and has always remained neutral. Their Wei family is a real loyal minister and civil official, and has not been involved in any factional collusion in the capital.
No matter how I look at it, it seems that there is nothing in their family that can be called Liang Jiatu, right?
"There should be more than that." Wei Maolin answered his guess. "The Liang family has built a new greenhouse to grow flowers. It's quite a big event. I think they have invited many families. Maybe some famous families in Beiguan City have been invited. I can ask around when I go to the City Affairs Office tomorrow."
"According to Madam and Lan'er's opinions, should we go or not?"
Gao and Wei Yunlan looked at each other and made the decision almost at the same time.
"Go." Wei Yunlan wanted to meet the so-called nobles in the northern half of the city, and this was a good opportunity.
Gao thought more about it. After all, they would be living in Beiguan City for quite a long time. "If others can go, we naturally have nothing to fear. We can just take it as an opportunity to see the world. We don't make friends with others, but if we can use this opportunity to make more connections, it may not be a bad thing."
The South City house chosen by Wei Maolin was located not far from the city gate.
As they were talking, the carriage, led by Steward Wang, had already entered the alley called Jingping.
Three carriages completely blocked the alley.
Fortunately, we changed to a horse-drawn carriage for this trip, otherwise even a wider carriage would not be able to fit into this alley.
There weren't many people in the alley, so someone from the neighboring house heard the noise outside, poked his head out to look, and when he saw that it was Wei Maolin's family, he smiled warmly and said, "Is it Lord Wei's family that's here?"
"Congratulations, the family is finally reunited!"
Wei Maolin also smiled and thanked them. "Once everything is sorted out, let my wife invite your wife and children for tea tomorrow."
"How can they eat those fine foods?" Despite saying so, the man who poked his head out still responded with a smile, "I'll ask them to bring some dried persimmons they've dried at home. They're very sweet. Let your children have a taste too."
Steward Wang took a step back and whispered to Gao, Wei Yunlan and the others, "The family next door is a patrol officer, surnamed Ding. Three generations of his family live together, and they are very welcoming. The master has only been here for less than half a month, and they have sent food several times."
Gao nodded when she heard this and took note of it silently.
In the alley, several more people came to say hello.
After a lively introduction, the alley became quiet again and the Wei family went in and unloaded the cars.
Just when everyone returned to the courtyard, Dong Da and Liu Quan, who were at the end, were preparing to close the gate.
A slender figure walked to the gate of the courtyard with light footsteps.
In the night, the figure in white, about to fall down in the wind, scared Liu Quan so much that he almost cried out in surprise.
It was Dong Da, who had lived in the alley for some time, who recognized the person. He calmly pulled Liu Quan's sleeve and whispered, "This is Mrs. Bai from the Bai family."
The Bai family included two wives and a concubine who were exiled with him.
Mrs. Bai is the wife of the late General Bai.
"Ms. Bai Si's mother?" Liu Quan also matched the person, "I'll go in and report it."
In fact, there was no need to report this, as the courtyard was not very big. Wei Yunlan, who had just sat down in the main hall, had already heard someone visiting outside.
When I walked out, I saw Madam Bai, who was pale and staggering.
He hurried forward and held the other person's arm.
With this support, I could feel even more clearly how thin the other person's body was hidden under his clothes.
She sighed in her heart. Without asking, she knew why Madam Bai came here in such a hurry.
"Please come in with me."
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